a bleeding purple utah jazz blog

Game 48 vs. DEN: Euphoria!

How amazing was it to see the Jazz go on a run to close the first half and then keep it going in the second? How exciting was it to watch the Jazz’s lead go from 8 at the half, to 17 to 20 to 25 in the 3rd? How great was it that the win was never in danger, and the Jazz won outright en route to a new season high in points scored?

This was the epitome of a team win, but I want to specifically mention two Jazzmen.

1) Devin Harris: Anyone that says they knew the guy that showed up in this game still existed is lying. This was probably not just his best game as a Jazzman, but his best game in years;

2) Gordon Hayward: I think we can all see, if he remains in Utah, what we’re going to get for the next decade. Maybe not a spectacular highlight reel every night, but steady as a rock on both ends of the floor and ultimate do-it-all glue guy.

Before this game, we were still half a game out of the Playoffs. With this win, we’re in 7th and half a game out of 4th. It’ll be a tight race down the stretch, with 4th and 9th separated by just half a game right now.

Your complete game highlights here (including a beautiful hook shot by Enes Kanter, the late-game return of Earl Watson and two early-oops), courtesy of @prodigyJF:

Last thing: This wasn’t the most edge-of-your-seat, Miracle in Miami-esque game of the year, but it was one of the best games of the year in the sense that the Jazz took on a good team, and for the first time looked superior throughout. That’s major. And yet, there were fans that couldn’t celebrate the win or revel in the moment because they were so busy complaining about Raja–who didn’t even play and wasn’t even active. Come on. I don’t mean to sound preachy, but the constant Raja-bashing is vexing and tiresome.

** Time for another round of…

Quotage** Big Al:

** Devin Harris, post-game: [What was behind the emotion of the dunk?] That might be the last dunk of my career, so I definitely wanted to enjoy it. (1)** Gordon Hayward on Afflalo’s flagrant foul, post-game: It was just two guys, physical game. He just got a little frustrated. I don’t think there’s anything there. (3)
(Just have to say, he’s got a good head on his shoulders.)** Al Jefferson, post-game: Ain’t no superstars on this team, so we gonna have to play together every night, night in and night out, if we gon try to have some success. (1)
(Loved this quote from Big Al, because most observers, if pressed to name the Jazz’s star, would say Al.)

Random Stuff, etc.** By request of @wheatie_87, Al’s spin and pose:

Unintentional Dirty Quote Machines of the Night (UDQM)** Booner: I’d like to see him get that up. (H/T @bjcseven)** ESPN guy not Chris Mullin: Javale McGee laying the wood to Derrick Favors. (H/T @shandonfan)** Not Chris Mullin: A bump n grind contest…which Utah doesn’t mind. Mullin: And Utah will take it. (H/T @Mac_Jazz)** Not Chris Mullin: Burks launches his body into McGee. (H/T @shandonfan)** Javale McGee on Al: He just has so many moves and is a real solid big. (H/T @Mac_Jazz)** Devin Harris on blocks: CJ, I thought, had a pretty big one.